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A Breed Standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function. Absolute soundness is essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions or exaggerations which would be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed. From time to time certain conditions or exaggerations may be considered to have the potential to affect dogs in some breeds adversely, and judges and breeders are requested to refer to the Kennel Club website for details of any such current issues. If a feature or quality is desirable it should only be present in the right measure.

To view photos of this breed please visit the Kennel Club Picture Library

General Appearance
Balanced combination of muscular power and strength with elegance and grace of outline. Built for speed and work. All forms of exaggeration should be avoided.

Characteristics
An ideal companion. Highly adaptable in domestic and sporting surroundings.

Temperament
Gentle, affectionate, even disposition.

Head and Skull
Long and lean, flat on top, tapering to muzzle with slight stop, rather wide between the eyes, jaws powerful and clean-cut, nose black, in blues a bluish colour permitted, liver nose in creams and other dilute colours, in whites or parti-colour a butterfly nose permissible.

Eyes
Oval, bright, expression very alert.

Ears
Rose shaped, small, fine in texture.

Mouth
Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

Neck
Long, muscular, elegantly arched.

Forequarters
Shoulders well laid back with flat muscles.  Moderate space between the shoulder blades at the withers.  The upper arm is approximately of equal length to the shoulder, placed so that the elbow falls directly under the withers when viewed in profile.  Forearms straight and upright with moderate bladed bone.  Front not too wide.  Pasterns strong with slight spring.

Body
Chest very deep with plenty of heart room.  Well filled in front.  Brisket deep.  Broad, well muscled back, firm, somewhat long, showing graceful arch over the loin but not humped.  Ribs well sprung.  Loin giving impression of strength and power.  Definite tuck up.

Hindquarters
Strong, broad across thighs, with well developed second thighs.  Stifles well bent without exaggeration with hocks well let down. Able to stand naturally over a lot of ground.

Feet
Oval, well split up between toes, knuckles well arched, pads thick, nails strong.

Tail
No feathering. Long, tapering, reaching at least to the hock.  When in action carried in a delicate curve not higher than the back.

Gait/Movement
Should possess great freedom of action.  In profile should move with a long, easy stride whist holding topline. The forelegs should be thrown forward and low over the ground.  Hind legs should come well under the body giving greater propelling power.  General movement not to look stilted, high stepping, short or mincing.  True coming and going.

Coat
Fine, short, close in texture.

Colour
Any colour or mixture of colours.

Size
Desirable height: dogs: 47-51 cms (181/2-20 ins); bitches: 44-47 cms (171/2-181/2 ins).

Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

Note
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

Last updated - June 2006

Glossary of Canine Terms

Some links to health information and resources that may be relevant to this breed:

Veterinary screening schemes - The Kennel Club operates these with the British Veterinary Association.

DNA screening schemes - detect disease-causing mutations in a number of breeds.

Current Accredited Breeder Scheme health screening requirements and recommendations - for Kennel Club Accredited Breeders show what is required and recommended for the sire and dam of any litter of this breed bred by a Kennel Club Accredited Breeder.

Breed Watch - a tool aimed at dog show judges and exhibitors to highlight and tackle any current concerns in a breed

Health Test results Finder Tool - access results of any official KC health testing scheme for Kennel Club registered dogs

2004 Purebred Dog Health Survey Results - Individual summaries are available where the breed response rate was greater than 15%.

Recommended Reading

All the below publications are available to order from the Online Shop.

Kennel Club Breed Standards Kennel Club Breed Standards are available for most breeds indicating the qualities which competition judges normally take into account and the standard or model which breeders endeavour to achieve. The Breed Standards can be purchased by group.

Breed Clubs and Societies

• EAST ANGLIAN WHIPPET CLUB. Sec. Miss A Morland. Tel No: 01778 422602
• MIDLAND WHIPPET CLUB. Sec. Mrs D Morgan. Tel No: not available, please contact the Kennel Club
• NATIONAL WHIPPET ASSOC. Sec. Mrs M Blanks. Tel No: 01268 288091
• NORTH EASTERN WHIPPET SOCIETY. Sec. Mr P Glaholm. Tel No: 0191 413 1259
• NORTHERN COUNTIES WHIPPET CLUB. Sec. Mrs J McEvoy. Tel No: 01524 60360
• NORTHERN IRELAND WHIPPET CLUB. Sec. Mr J Stubbs. Tel No: 028 90229127
• SOUTH WEST WHIPPET CLUB. Sec. Ms A P Vickerstaff. Tel No: 01209 821979
• SOUTH YORKSHIRE WHIPPET CLUB. Sec. Mr Mason. Tel No. 01909 515864
• WHIPPET CLUB. Sec:  Mrs M Anderson. Tel No: 01491 641140
• WHIPPET CLUB OF SCOTLAND. Sec. Miss M Hendrie. Tel No: 01236 830273
• WHIPPET CLUB OF WALES. Sec. Miss T Hoare. Tel No: 01249 461473

Find A Puppy

Search for Kennel Club registered Whippet puppies for sale in the UK

Find A Rescue

Search for Whippet rescue societies for adopting and re-homing rescue dogs

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